BHANDARA

In Bhandara, architecture has served as both a witness to and participant in historical change. The district’s built landscape tells the story of shifting power, belief, and identity. Each structure carries traces of the time it was built, the people who shaped it, and the communities that gave it purpose.

Bhandara’s architecture spans centuries of religious practice, defense, and reflection. The 12th-century Bhrushund Ganesh Mandir in Mendha reflects the sturdy Hemadpanthi style of the Yadava period. Pauni Fort, a 15th-century stronghold, preserves traces of medieval defensive design. At Sindhpuri, the Mahasamadhi Bhoomi introduces a modern Japanese-style Buddha Vihara, blending spiritual narrative with serene landscapes. Together, these sites capture Bhandara’s layered architectural heritage.

The Bhrushund Ganesh Mandir, located in Mendha village, Bhandara district, is a 12th-century Mandir built in the Hemadpanthi architectural style. Dedicated to Bhagwan Ganesh, it holds special significance as the fourth of the eight Ashtavinayakas of Vidarbha. The Mandir stands out for its simple yet sturdy stone construction, reflecting the signature style of the Yadava period.

Pauni Fort, located on the western edge of Pauni town in Bhandara district, is a 15th-century fortification built with stone masonry and earthworks. Its construction is attributed to Panwar, a legendary Gond king, whose name is believed to have given the town its identity. The fort was established to protect a once-thriving settlement that lay along important inland trade and pilgrimage routes.

The fort follows a linear defensive layout, marked by its bastions, gateways, and sections of surviving stone walls. It once had five turrets, of which remnants still stand alongside a 508-foot-long stone wall. Key architectural features include a main entrance gate, traces of a protective moat, and an earthen rampart that enhanced its defensive strength. The remaining bastions reflect the fort’s original strategic design, offering insight into medieval military architecture in the region.

Mahasamadhi Bhoomi in Sindhpuri, established in 1987, is a commemorative site marking the Mahasamadhi of Gautama Buddha. At its center stands a Buddha Vihara, designed in a Japanese architectural style, surrounded by Ashoka trees and tranquil gardens that create a space for meditation and reflection. The complex features sculptural panels that depict key moments from Buddha’s life, including his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree and his first sermon at Sarnath, offering both a spiritual and visual narrative to visitors.